Despite a dazzling six-win streak this season, Rick Hendrick’s golden boy is faltering right at the cusp of the championship. A volley of pit stop slip-ups hit the No. 5 team at Las Vegas, a venue where Kyle Larson owned the last two races. After that, Homestead spelled another bout of misfortune. Larson was relegated to 34th place in the first stage and dealt with a flat tire. He managed to slice up the gap in the final stage – only to have his pace stuttered by an aggressive move, as Kevin Harvick agrees.

However, Harvick also does not agree that Larson was the only one to blame for that final caution. Austin Dillon’s No. 3 Chevy hindered both Larson and Ryan Blaney’s runs. His lack of action coupled with Larson’s impatience led to the No. 5 spinning – and Harvick chided his former team for not having enough sense.

Kevin Harvick questions Dillon’s move

The retired Cup Series driver started his NASCAR career in Richard Childress Racing. Winning 23 races for the team until he joined Stewart-Haas Racing in 2014, Kevin Harvick holds fond memories. That is why Austin Dillon’s Homestead actions got on his moves more. While most fans bashed Kyle Larson for attempting to go three-wide with Dillon and Blaney, Harvick pointed fingers at Richard Childress’ grandson. The No. 3 driver had drummed up a bit of a spotty reputation after the Richmond race in August. Dillon had door-slammed both Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin to grab the victory. NASCAR slapped a 25-point penalty and stripped Dillon’s playoff eligibility.

Although Dillon attempted no such move at Homestead-Miami Speedway, his lack of action attracted criticism. In an episode of ‘Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour,’ Kevin Harvick scrutinized the No. 3 team for creating a roadblock for the championship contenders. “I wish Austin Dillon and his team would have had the awareness to just get out of the way and let the leaders race. But that’s not what happened. I don’t think he did anything wrong, but sometimes in these scenarios when some of that self-awareness (could help)…where these guys are racing for the championship and the lead.”

Kevin Harvick did not leave Kyle Larson out of his scrutiny either. Although the HMS star defended his strategy, Harvick said it landed an unnecessary points deficit on his lap. “It’s these moments that bite him the ass and they wind up sideways, and having a chance to win…For me, the way that I have raced, I’d have been less aggressive in that scenario and been okay with taking the points. It could have been 6 or 7 points to the good – now I’m 7 points to the bad. So you try to balance.” Now Larson only has Martinsville to look forward to as his last resort for a championship bid.

Dillon tried to defend his stance as well, claiming how thunderously fast Larson was.

Larson’s speed is like a blur

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Rick Hendrick’s star almost faced the end of his day after lap 48. Although a stroke of luck prevented heavy damage to his vehicle, Kyle Larson was determined to hold on. His grit persisted even after missing stage points – Larson charged into the front row in the final stage. He was battling for the lead with Ryan Blaney. The speedster ran out of patience beside Dillon’s sluggish lapped car and tried to make a hair-raising three-wide move. “Honestly, I was just holding my line against the wall,” Dillon told Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports. “That was the one place I could just stay. I thought they would turn under me.”

Austin Dillon claimed he could not even spot the lightning-fast moves of Larson. “I didn’t even know the 5 was coming, truthfully. In the end, I was just against the wall, and I think he got in hot on my left front. I didn’t do anything but stay against the wall.” Even Kevin Harvick hailed Larson’s strategy, claiming the latter takes a ‘do or die’ approach. “There is no balance with Kyle Larson, right? That’s what makes him great…these moments that he is just willing to shove his car in there and take the chance. He’s telling himself, I thought that was my opportunity to win the race because I’d spent 15 laps and not made any progress. It didn’t work out, and he’s already over it.”

Whether the encounter with Austin Dillon affected him or not, Kyle Larson has a task at hand. He is now in a must-win situation as the playoff grid heads to Martinsville.